Pic piracy proliferating in Germany

FFA study finds illegal downloading on the rise

Digital piracy is on the rise in Germany, where 1.7 million computer users illegally downloaded nearly 12 million films in the first half of 2005, according to a study by the German Federal Film Board (FFA) released Tuesday.

The number of illicit downloaders jumped 30%, while the number of pics pirated increased 16% from a year earlier.

The profile of the Teutonic pirate is also changing. Illegal film theft among those ages 10 to 19 grew 160%, while computer users over 50 appear to be mastering the technology, accounting for a 180% increase.

As a result, the FFA said pic piracy is becoming an increasingly widespread phenomenon no longer limited to the traditionally computer-savvy twentysomethings.